About one in five people in Waynesboro city, Virginia, has a disability
In Waynesboro city, 19.8% of people reported a disability. That is higher than in 79% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 60% of U.S. counties.
What drives Waynesboro city's score
In Waynesboro city, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 67.1. About one in five renters (21.0%, 2020 to 2024) pays half their income or more in rent, a higher share than in 67% of U.S. counties. Late payments on loans come next, at 65.6.
The County Distress Index looks at five parts of household money trouble in Waynesboro city: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each part is scored from 0 to 100, and a higher score means worse off than other counties.
Waynesboro city does better than most counties on two measures: unemployment rate, average over the latest year (3.2%, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026) and adults 25 to 54 not working (18.8%, 2020 to 2024).
A longer bar means more trouble. See how the county score works.
- 67.1 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorRenters, 2020–24 Census survey; HUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent21.0% · 2020 to 202467th percentile
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income22.5% · fiscal year 202766th percentile
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- 65.6 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, second quarter of 2026
- People with a credit card behind5.3% · August 202546th percentile
- People with a car or retail loan behind7.8% · August 202581st percentile
- People with a subprime credit score45.6% · second quarter of 202668th percentile
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- 62.5 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector23.9% · August 202552nd percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people189.8 · 202572nd percentile
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- 59.6 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- People below the poverty line11.8% · 202438th percentile
- Children below the poverty line17.9% · 202454th percentile
- People with a disability19.8% · 2020 to 202479th percentile
- People without health insurance10.3% · 2020 to 202468th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$64,070 · 202457th percentile
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- 29.0 of 100
Jobs
Unemployment through Sep 2026; adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey
- Unemployment rate, average over the latest year3.2% · Oct 2025 to Sep 202619th percentile
- Adults 25 to 54 not working18.8% · 2020 to 202438th percentile
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Sources: Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and Census income; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Sep 2026.
How Waynesboro city has changed
The number of jobs located in Waynesboro city had its largest rise in the last span, from 8,913 in 2020 to 10,390 in 2025.
The number of jobs located in Waynesboro city fell 14% from 1990 to 2025, with its low point on the chart in 2020
Low on the chart: 8,913 in 2020. Yearly average of jobs covered by unemployment insurance, every fifth year and 2025, Waynesboro city, Virginia.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 4.2% | 2025 3.1% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 8.7% | 2024 11.8% |
| Median household incomeCensus SAIPE | 1993 $29,627 | 2024 $64,070 |
The table uses 3.1% for 2025; the score uses 3.2% for the latest year (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026), both from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices.
Dated events in Waynesboro city's history
1794
Area called Teasville (or Teesville) in mid-18th century, renamed Waynesborough after General Anthony Wayne's 1794 victory at Battle of Fallen Timbers. Wikipedia
1801
Town of Waynesborough officially recognized January 8, 1801 and incorporated by 1834. Wikipedia
1948
Officially became an independent city in 1948. Wikipedia
1999
A thunderstorm in July 1999 killed one person. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
A flood in April 2011 killed two people. NOAA Storm Events Database
2020
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 22,196, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
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Since 1972
15 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Waynesboro city, 3 of them for flooding. FEMA
Waynesboro city beside its neighbors
Waynesboro city scores higher than all one counties that border it.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waynesboro city, VA | 60 | 11.8% | — |
| Augusta County, VA | 16 | 7.3% | — |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Sep 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Waynesboro city the poorest county in Virginia?
No, Waynesboro city's poverty rate was 11.8% in 2024, 66th highest of 133 in Virginia (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Radford city, at 27.2%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Waynesboro city ranks 58th of 133 in the state.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Waynesboro city
Housing counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development work at nonprofit agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes free foreclosure-avoidance counseling, including help with mortgage-company conversations and available options Source CFPB.
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Blue Ridge Legal Services
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Our help directory lists 1,010 agencies approved for foreclosure counseling, by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Waynesboro city · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Sep 2026, built from Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. The County Distress Index is American Default Research's own calculation; the Urban Institute does not produce or endorse it. Our methodology
- Urban Institute · Debt in America Breno Braga, Signe-Mary McKernan, Samantha Atherton, and Kassandra Martinchek, "Debt in America," last updated November 20, 2025, https://datacatalog.urban.org/dataset/debt-america-2025. Licensed under ODC-By 1.0.
- Rent on a two-bedroom and household income The rent share compares HUD fair market rent for fiscal year 2027 with Census Bureau median household income for 2024. The page calls this the typical household's income.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.